DSS arrests Saraki’s SSA on Youth and Student Matters

The Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth and Student Matters, Mr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a lawyer, has been arrested and detained by operatives of the Department of State Services.

Ugochinyere, who is also the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, according to a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja by his brother, Obinna Ikeagwuonu, said Ikenga’s arrest and detention happened on Monday.

Ikeagwuonu said that Ikenga had informed his family about the invitation extended to him by the Assistant Director of Internal Security.

He said the family has not seen or heard from Ikenga since he entered into the premises of the headquarters of the Department of State Services.

He added that every attempt by his family, lawyers and personal physician to have access to him have been resisted by the security outfit.

The statement read, “Information at our disposal has it that Ikenga informed his family of his invitation to the office of the DSS, yesterday by 10:00hrs on the call of the Assistant Director Internal Security.

“He has not been seen nor heard from since the time he entered the premises of the DSS. Every attempt by his family, lawyers and personal physician to have access to him have been resisted by the security outfit.

“Ikenga is the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and also Senior Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth and Students Matters and the family has been withstanding immense pressure from Nigerian youths who are calling from all over the country enquiring about the welfare of their President.

“We have limits to our strength to withstand this pressure if Nigeria youths want to approach the State and demand for the whereabouts of their President.”

Ikeagwuonu said unofficial information reaching his family confirmed that Ikenga was interrogated over a petition by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development Mr. Solomon Dalung who was indefinitely suspended from the Board of the NYCN.

The statement said that Ikenga had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Dalung as Minister.

It described Ikenga’s arrest by the DSS as illegal and the height of impunity, and noted that the security agency must be held responsible for whatever happens to him.